Walking Stick

ABSTRACT

A walking stick includes a body ( 10 ), a handle ( 20 ) formed at one end of the body and configured to be grasped by a hand of a user, and a balance structure ( 60 ). The balance structure is mounted to a distal end of the handle via screws or hooks or other means. In use, the walking stick acts as a lever in which the hand of the user acts as a fulcrum and the balance structure is pulled downward because of the pull of gravity to facilitate lifting the body of the walking stick. The balance structure may be made of metal, plastic or any other material. The weight of the balance structure may be desired according to demand. The walking stick has a simple structure with low cost and is convenient to users.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a walking stick, and particularly to a walking stick with a simple structure suitable to various users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Walking sticks are very important tools for facilitating the blinds walking. Nowadays, various walking sticks are widely used. A typical walking stick is disclosed in Chinese patent No. 85204326. The walking stick comprises a detection device which is mounted at the bottom end of the walking stick and is movable in left-and-right and up-and-down directions. Movement of the detection device may be transmitted to a moveable member mounted on a handle of the walking stick via a connecting device connected between the detection device and the moveable member. The user grasps the handle of the walking stick and estimates the path in front of the user based on the movement of the moveable member mounted on the handle.

Chinese patent application No. 92233825.6 discloses a walking stick with audio and illumination function. The walking stick comprises a shank and an armguard chain. A chip, a speaker, a power source, a button and illumination components are installed in the shank. In use, the user can press the button to allow the speaker of the walking stick give out designed sound during designed time interval so that the user can get help from people around.

However, in the above walking sticks, it is inevitable to change the configuration of the walking sticks in order to add the extra function into the walking sticks. Thus, the walking sticks have a complicated structure which made it inconvenient to users. Furthermore, in use, the blind needs to lift the walking stick to pat the path on his/her two sides frequently, which tires the wrist of the user.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved walking stick with a simple structure which is readily to be lifted up by users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A walking stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a body, a handle formed at one end of the body and configured to be grasped by a hand of a user, and a balance structure detachably mounted to a distal end of the handle, whereby in use the walking stick acts as a lever in which the hand of the user acts as a fulcrum and the balance structure is pulled downward because of the pull of gravity to facilitate lifting the body of the walking stick.

In an exemplary embodiment, the balance structure has a shape of truncated cone. Alternatively, the balance structure may be cylindrical shape or other shape.

In the exemplary embodiment, The balance structure is mounted to the distal end of the handle via screws or hooks or other conventional means. The balance structure may be made of metal, plastic or any other material. The weight of the balance structure may be designed according to demand.

In the exemplary embodiment, the balance structure is detachably mounted to the handle of the walking stick. So, the walking stick may fit various users via mounting various balance structures thereon. Furthermore, the user can easily adjust the walking stick via choosing another proper balance structure when the body of the user has a change.

For more detailed information regarding advantages or features of this invention, at least an example of preferred embodiment will be fully described below with reference to the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The related drawings in connection with the detailed description of this invention to be made later are described briefly as follows, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a walking stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the force on the walking stick of FIG. 1 in use; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a walking stick in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a walking stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a body 10, a handle 20 formed at a top end of the body 10 and configured to be grasped by a hand of a user, and a balance equipment 40. In an exemplary embodiment, the balance equipment 40 comprises a holding case 41 attached to a top end of the handle 20 and a balance structure 42 accommodated into the holding case 41. The holding case 41 is mounted to a top end of the handle 20 via screws or hooks or other conventional means. The balance strucure 42 has a shape of truncated cone. Alternatively, the balance structure 42 may be cylindrical shape or other shape. The balance structure 42 may be made of metal, plastic or any other material. The weight of the balance structure 42 may be designed according to demand.

Referring to FIG. 2, in use, the exemplary walking stick acts as a lever in which the hand of the user acts as a fulcrum of the lever. When the user lifts the body 10 a little distance, the balance structure 42 will be pulled downward because of the pull of gravity which results in the bottom end of the body 10 being lifted up. Thus, the walking stick can be readily lifted up.

As shown in FIG. 3, in another exemplary embodiment, a walking stick in accordance with a embodiment of the invention comprises a body 10, a handle 20 and a balance structure 60. The balance structure 60 is mounted to a top end of the handle 20 via screws or hooks or other conventional means. The balance strucure 60 has a shape of truncated cone. Alternatively, the balance structure 60 may be cylindrical shape or other shape. The balance structure 60 may be made of metal, plastic or any other material. The weight of the balance structure 60 may be designed according to demand.

In the exemplary embodiments, the balance structure is detachably mounted to the handle of the walking stick. So, the walking stick may fit various users via mounting various balance structures thereon. Furthermore, the user can easily adjust the walking stick via choosing another proper balance structure when the body of the user has a change.

In the exemplary embodiments, the user can easily lift up the walking stick under the assistance of the balance structure. Moreover, the walking stick of the exemplary embodiment has a simple structure with low cost and is convenient to users.

In the above described, at least two preferred embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings annexed, and it is apparent that numerous variations or modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the claims below. 

1. A walking stick comprising: a body; a handle arranged on the body and configured to be grasped by a hand of a user; and a balance structure detachably mounted to one of the handle and the body, whereby in use, the walking stick acts as a lever in which the hand of the user acts as a fulcrum and the balance structure is pulled downward because of the pull of gravity to facilitate lifting the body of the walking stick.
 2. The walking stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is formed at a top end of the body and the balance structure is detachably mounted to a top end of the handle.
 3. The walking stick as claimed in claim 2, wherein the balance structure has a shape of truncated cone.
 4. The walking stick as claimed in claim 2, wherein the balance structure is made of metal.
 5. The walking stick as claimed in claim 2, wherein the balance structure is chosen from various balance structures.
 6. The walking stick as claimed in claim 5, wherein the various balance structures have various weights.
 7. The walking stick as claimed in claim 5, wherein the various balance structures are made of various materials.
 8. The walking stick as claimed in claim 5, wherein the various balance structures have various configurations.
 9. A walking stick comprising: a body; a handle arranged on the body and configured to be grasped by a hand of a user; and a balance equipment comprising a balance member and a holding member for accommodating the balance member, the holding member detachably mounted to the handle, whereby in use, the walking stick acts as a lever in which the hand of the user acts as a fulcrum and the balance equipment is pulled downward because of the pull of gravity to facilitate lifting the body of the walking stick.
 10. The walking stick as claimed in claim 9, wherein the handle is formed at a top end of the body and the holding member is detachably mounted to a top end of the handle.
 11. The walking stick as claimed in claim 9, wherein the balance member has a shape of truncated cone.
 12. The walking stick as claimed in claim 9, wherein the balance member is made of metal.
 13. The walking stick as claimed in claim 9, wherein the balance member is chosen from various balance structures.
 14. The walking stick as claimed in claim 13, wherein the various balance structures have various weights.
 15. The walking stick as claimed in claim 13, wherein the various balance structures are made of various materials.
 16. The walking stick as claimed in claim 13, wherein the various balance structures have various configurations. 